Overview:

DRAK1 (STK17A) is a member of the DAP kinase-related apoptosis-inducing protein kinase family. DRAK1 encodes an autophosphorylated nuclear protein with a protein kinase domain which has apoptosis-inducing activity. DRAK1 is capable of autophosphorylation and of phosphorylating myosin light chain as an exogenous substrate. The noncatalytic C terminus of DRAK1 is crucial for full kinase activity (1). DRAK1 is highly expressed in placenta, but also in heart, lung, skeletal muscle, kidney, and pancreas. DRAK1 act as a novel direct target of p53 and a modulator of cisplatin toxicity and reactive oxygen species in testicular cancer cells (2).

Gene Aliases:

DRAK1; STK17A

Genbank Number:

NM_004760

References:

1. Sanjo, H. et.al: DRAKs, novel serine/threonine kinases related to death-associated protein kinase that trigger apoptosis. J. Biol. Chem. 273: 29066-29071, 1998.

2. Mao P, et.al: Serine/threonine kinase 17A is a novel p53 target gene and modulator of cisplatin toxicity and reactive oxygen species in testicular cancer cells. J Biol Chem. 2011 Jun 3;286(22):19381-91.